Peony Registry

Seedling No: W1. Parentage: P. rockii, pollen parent unknown. First bloomed 2008, first propagated 2018. A rounded DOUBLE.  Petals a lilac color (RHS: CC 75A) with black flares extending 20-30% of their length, ruffled and somewhat twisted, both of which add fullness to the flower. One flower per stem. Flowers 4¾-6 inches (12-15 cm) in size. Five carpels, pale greenish-yellow, and moderately hairy. Stigmas whitish, with normal anatomy. Stamens interspersed among the center petals, filaments white. Staminodes also present, of linear shape, white topped with pink. No fertility observed to date. Sheath only partially developed, white. Early Midseason bloom. Fragrance. Upright growth habit, somewhat spreading, with typical Gansu Mudan foliage. Expected height at maturity 32-40 inches (80-100 cm). Named for the originators’ home town of Bad Rappenau, well known for its 170 year history of one of the premier salt water spa cities. It is also known as “The City of Parks” and in more recent years (1995, 1997, 2007) the city imported and planted Chinese tree peonies, especially in “Schlosspark.” Since 2008 the city has organized an annual garden fair called “Garten und Genuss” (garden and enjoyment) which promotes gardening and the benefits to be had from it. Thus, many people who come for spa treatments find the city, its facilities and its climate, so much to their liking that they often return to settle in Bad Rappenau as their situations permit. In this way, the city remains vibrant and rejuvenated and enjoys healthy growth, much as the peony that is named for it.  To be propagated and distributed by W. Giessler, Groß Rosenburg, Germany.